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DeLauro Applauds Attorneys General for Lawsuit against DeVos over Delaying Student Protection Rules

July 7, 2017

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC (July 7, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the attorneys general from 18 states, including Connecticut, and the District of Columbia filing a lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos over her decision to delay rules that would erase the federal student debt of borrowers defrauded by colleges.

“Secretary DeVos and the Trump Administration continue to delay and weaken rules that will vastly impact the American people, all without any public comment or review. These protections were meant to ensure that students would not face financial ruin when predatory colleges like ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges scam them out of tuition dollars. Taxpayer dollars should not subsidize failing programs and abysmal outcomes, while leaving students burdened with insurmountable debt.

“I strongly commend the attorneys general for fighting to protect students from abusive practices and ensure that the gainful employment rule goes into effect. Rather than conspiring with dishonest institutions to exploit hardworking Americans who are trying to get ahead, Secretary DeVos and the Trump Administration should make a commitment to protect and defend our students and give them the tools they need to succeed.”

The gainful employment rule required career education programs receiving federal funding to provide information to help students to decide where to enroll, including graduation rates, workforce matriculation, and graduate earnings. DeLauro is the Senior Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds federal education programs.